One wonders if the irony is not lost on the ageing pontiff (and his sycophantic minions) that one of the threats to the traditional family that undermines "the future of humanity itself" is clearly the Catholic Church's archaic and dogmatic policy regarding condom use, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Figures from the World Health Organisation show couples using condoms led to an 80pc reduction in HIV/AIDS incidence (Weller & Davis-Beaty, 2007). Such figures can only help keep the family unit together.

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